Engineers bring ideas to life. They design, create, test and improve all sorts of products and processes. From James Watt’s steam engine to Andy Scott’s Kelpies, Scotland is great at engineering.
At the start of your engineering career, you can expect to earn around £30,000 per year. As you gain experience, your salary can rise to £70,000*. There are currently 9000 engineers working in Scotland.
This is a great time to start your engineering career as there’s a huge demand for new talent. UK companies are actively looking to employ people with engineering skills.
It’s an industry offering careers in range of sectors including space, aviation, transport, medicine, technology and fashion. You could work in roles such as:
- aerospace engineer
- chemical engineer
- electrical engineer
- mechanical engineer
- naval architect
You will not always be sitting at a desk. It’s possible that you could be working in a laboratory, at sea, underground or a recording studio.
If you want to build a career in engineering, this Foundation Apprenticeship is for you. It’s a unique opportunity to gain real workplace knowledge and experience. You will also get an industry-recognised qualification.
(*Salary ranges from National Careers Service)
What’s the qualification?
You’ll gain a Foundation Apprenticeship in Engineering. This is the same level of learning as an SQA Higher, which is SCQF Level 6.
Your qualification includes:
Level 6
- a National Certificate (NC) in an Engineering Discipline at SCQF Level 6, such as: Engineering Systems, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering
- core units of an SVQ in Performing Engineering Operations at SCQF Level 5
- work placement experience or an industry challenge
What will I learn?
The topics you learn as part of your National Certificate will depend on the area of engineering you choose to study. These include:
- Engineering Systems
- Mechanical Engineering
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Fabrication and Welding Engineering
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Measurement and Control Engineering
To achieve your SVQ units, you’ll be assessed as part of your work placement. You’ll learn how to:
- comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements
- use and interpret engineering data and documentation
- work efficiently and effectively in engineering
Your Foundation Apprenticeship will also help you to develop core skills valued by employers, particularly:
- communication
- problem-solving
- working with others
- time management
Where could it take me?
Your Foundation Apprenticeship gives you lots of options: it’s up to you where you go next.
